Engine starting mechanism



Nov. 21, 1933. R. P. LANSING v ENGINE STARTING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 27.1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. Raymond P Lana/n Gar.

1933- R. P. LANSING ENGINE STARTING MECHANISM Filed Fsfb. 27, 1932 2Sheets-Sheet 2 a w 7/ 0 1 I .76 s

' INVENTOR. E Lana/)7 7 Patented Nov. 21, 1933 1,936,555 ENGINE s'rsnrmcMECHANISM Raymond P. Montclair, N. 1.,

signer.

by mesne assignments, to Eclipse Aviation Corporation, East Orange,

New Jersey N. J., a corporation of Application February 27, 1932. SerialNo. 595,626 17 Claims. (Cl; 185-41) This invention relates to enginestarting mechanism, and more particularly to a device of thespring-motor type adapted for use in cranking internal combustionengines.

One of the objects of the invention is toprovidenovel means for crankingan internal combustion engine which cranking energy may be stored insaid means at the will of the operator and utilized thereafter at anyconvenient time.

- Another object is to provide a novel engine starter of the foregoingtype embodying resilient means'as the element in which energy is adaptedto be stored.

A further object is the provision of novel starting mechanismparticularly adapted for cranking boats.

Another object of the invention is to provide a starter of the foregoingcharacter, resilient energy storing means of such novel construction anddisposition asto make it possible to obtain a more effective ratio oftorque output with re- 5 spect to the size of theparts employed and thespace occupied.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a spring-operatedstarter of the foregoing.

character, further means for controlling the release of the energypreviously stored in the springs and the transfer of such energy to theengine to be started. In this connection a feature of the invention isthe provision of means tending to lock the springs against release ofsuch stored energy, in combination with novel speed responsive means forrendering the locking means ineffective during the engine crankingoperation, thus insuring a continuation of the cranking operation aslong as there is any apac preciable rotative energy remaining in thesprings.

Further objects are to provide a device whichis compact, light inweight, inexpensive to manufacture and readily installed in engines nowin it use, one which is readily adapted for manuai operation, and one inwhich the effort required on the part of the operator for storing upenergy is reduced to minimum. The above and other objects will appearmore fully hereinafter in the detaileddescription.

. One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, but it is to be expressly understood that the drawings are forthe purpose of illustration only, and are not designed as a definitionof the limits of the invenis so constructed that small engines such asoutboard engines for tion, reference being had for this purpose to theappended claims.

In the drawings; Y Fig. 1 is a central vertical section of-a deviceembodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; I

Fig. 4 is a sectional view along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

5 In the form shown, the structure of the present invention preferablyincludes a two-part housing 4, the lower part of which is adapted tobesecured in any suitable manner to the engine to be started or as inthe embodiment shown, such member may constitute partoi' the housing ofthe engine itself, particularly when the en- 75. gine is of thevertically disposed outboard type, as indicated, having a crankshaft- 6with an upper tapered end 7 adapted to receive a flywheel 8 adjustablyheld 0 the shaft by the provision of a nut 9. r

The novel starting means of the present invention is disposed preferablydirectly above the flywheel 8 and "includes a coupling member 11 havinga rim portion 12 adapted to fit upon a boss 13 on the flywheel and ifdesired, additional se- 3 curing means 14. The upper surface of thecoupling, 11 is provided with jaw teeth 16 adapted to mesh withcorresponding teeth '17 of the complemental coupling and therebyfacilitate proper registry with the upper assembly. An inwardly 99directed flange on member 18 abuts a shoulder 21 on the centralguidebushing 22 which is in turn held fast to the member 18 and has a portion23 adapted to slidably fit within the central bore in the memberll, thebushing 22 also serving to retain the roller members of theone-wayclutch, to be described.

The energy receiving portion of the starting mechanism includes aplurality of (as shown two) spiral springs 27 and 28 having their outerends 11 secured to the housing 4 as indicated at 29 and 30,respectively, wherein such securing means is shown as comprising aplurality of screws passing through an aperture in the end of'saidspring and engageable with a reinforcing plate 31 (Fig. 4) 1 having arounded end 32 facilitating the bending of the end of the spring, whileat the same. time protecting it from breakage at this point. Thefastening means 29 and 30, as shown, are disposed at diametricallyopposite points on the starter 10.

housing, this being the preferable arrangement not only for the outerend of the springs, but also for the inner ends which are similarlyattached at diametrically opposite points as indicated at 34 and 35(Figs. 1 and 5), to suitable openings 36 provided in the sleeve portion38 of the centrally disposed hub 39. This hub 39 is rotatably supportedon an annular ring 41 secured to the upper part 42 of the casing 4 bysuitable means as indicated at 43, the hub 39 being provided with aperipheral flange 45 adapted to be rotatably received on a correspondingledge 46 of the bearing ring 41.

In order to provide an automatic release of the power members of thestarting mechanism from operative connection with the engine afterstarting thereof, a one-way driving connection is preferably interposedbetween thehub 39 and the coupling member 20. As shown, such a one-waydriving connection takes the form of an overrunning clutch, the innerrace of which is constituted by the hub 39 and the outer race by thecoupling member 18, enclosing a plurality of arcuate segments 50 (Figs.1 and 5) adapted to be maintained in frictional engagement with saidouter race, and each adapted to receive a spring pressed plunger 52operative to hold the rollers 53 in wedging relation between the members50 and 39 when the latter drives in a clockwise direction, whilepermitting free overrunning action of the segments 50 when being drivenfrom the engine in a clockwise direction. This one-way clutch differsfrom the conventional clutch wherein the rollers engage directly withthe outer race.

Novel means are provided for storing energy in the springs 2'7 and 28and for retaining .such energy therein until the transfer thereof to theflywheel to impart initial rotation thereto. In the illustratedembodiment of the invention, such means preferably includes theformation on the hub 39 of an upwardly extending sleeve portion 58, theexternal surface of which is splined as indicated at 59, and theinterior surface of which is also suitably formed for reception of acorrespondingly shaped end 60 of a removable handcrank 61. With theprovision of such means it is apparent that upon rotation of the hub 39by application of the crank 61 thereto, the springs 2'7 and 28 will besimultaneously wound to store starting energy therein. The means forholding the springs 2'7 and 28 in their wound positions, and formanually releasing said springs thereafter, preferably comprises a pairof cooperating ratchet rings 63 and 64, the former being aflixed to theupper end 65 of the housing by suitable means, such as rivets 66, andthe associated ratchet rings 64 being rotatable relatively thereto inresponse to rotation of the sleeve 58, to which the ring 64 is splinedas indicated at 6'7, such rotation of the ring 64 being facilitated bythe provision of a suitable bearing 69. A coiled compression spring 68,one end of which abuts the upper end of the surface 39, engages the ring64 at its other end to normally hold the teeth thereof in mesh with thecorresponding teeth on the ratchet ring 63, it being understood thatthese two sets of teeth are inclined in a direction to permit rotationof the ring 64 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2,while restraining any rotation thereof in the opposite direction,pending operation of the releasing means now to be described.

The novel means for releasing the spring locking mechanism justdescribed, and for holding the springs away from the influence of suchlocking mechanism until substantially all the energy previously storedtherein has been spent, includes a plurality of arcuate segmental blocks'70 (Figs. 1 and 2) normally held against the outer peripheral surfaceof a ring '71 by suitable means such as toroidal spring '73, fittingwithin the circumferential groove 74 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) of the blocks'70. As shown, the ring '71 has an outwardly turned flange '76 on whichthe blocks '70 are supported,.the said flange '76 being of sufficientwidth to support the said blocks even when the latter move outwardly inresponse to the centrifugal action effective thereon, such outwardmovement being guided by the provision of downwardly projecting lugs '75(Fig. 3) integral with blocks '70 and slidable in the radial slots '77in flange '76. This centrifugal action, in conjunction with the shoulder'78 provided on the upper portion of the housing, serves to lock theblocks '70 and hence the rings '71 and 64 in the lower position to whichthey may be moved by downward pressure on the knob or thimble 79 whichis interposed between the upper surface 65 of the housing and the sleeve58, the said thimble '79 having an outwardly turned flange 80 extendingbetween the plate 65 and the bearing 69, so that the downward pressureis transmitted through the said bearing to the rings 64 and 71, thuscarrying the blocks '70 below the level of the shoulder '78 andpermitting their engagement with said shoulder. 105 In this manner, theratchet member 64, hub 39 and springs 2'7 and 28 are freed from therestraining influence of the ratchet member 63 until such time aspractically all the energy previously stored in the said springs isdissipated.

Having thus described the parts entering into the preferred embodimentas illustrated, it will be apparent that the operation thereof will beas follows:

Upon rotation of the hub 39 by application of the crank 61 thereto, thesprings 27 and 28 will be simultaneously wound, to store starting energytherein, the ratchet rings 63 and 64 cooperating during this period toprevent a reverse rotation or unwinding of the springs. Also during thisperiod the direciion of rotation of the hub 39 is such as to produceonly. idle rotation of the rollers 53 of the one-way clutch. As soon assuflicient tension has been created in the springs, the thimble '79 ismanually or otherwise depressed (the hand-crank 61 being first removed,if desired), thereby releasing the ring 64 which thereupon spins in aclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2, in response to the unwindingaction of the springs. The centrifugal force thus created 130 urges theblocks '70 out toward the housing wall, causing them to catch under theshoulder '78 and thus lock the ratchet ring 64 away from the fixed ring63 during the period of torque transfer to the engine flywheel 8; suchtransfer being by way of hub 39, rollers 53 (now in wedging position)and coupling members 18 and 11. When the engine has thus been started,and the spring energy dissipated, the spring '73 becomes effective toreiurn the blocks '70 into engagement with the peripheral surface of thering '71. When thus returned, the assembly is again urged to its upperposition as indicated in Fig. 1, by the action of the compression spring68.

There is thus provided a novel engine starting 145 mechanism which issimple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and which can bereadily insalled on engines now in use. It will be apparent that variousother forms of drive, including gearing and multiple springcombinations, 150

working simultaneously or in sequence, may be substituted for thatshown, although preferably the parts are so constructed and arranged as.to permit insiantaneous application of maximum torque to the enginecrankshaft on release of the springs. Moreover, in place of thepermanent driving connection between the shaft and the enginecrankshaft, a construction involving movement to and fromengine-engaging position,

equivalents for the construction shown may be,

adopted for securing the springs during the winding operation. Where agreater number of turns of the crankshaft is desired, a multiplying gearby those skilled in the Other changes, additions and substitutions maybe made as hereinabove suggested. Reference will therefore be had to theappended claims for a definition of the limits of the inveniion.

What is claimed is:

1. In a starter for an internal combustion engine oi the type embodyinga driving member adapted to rotate a member of the engine to be started,the combination with said driving member and engine member, of resilientmeans in which energy may be stored for subsequent transfrom and movablerelatively to said hand operated shaft for normally preventing therelease of energy stored in said resilient means, and means including amember rotatable with said hand operated shaft for rendering saidpreventing means ineffective.

2. In a starter for an internal combustion engine of the type embodyinga driving member adapted to rotate a member of the engine to be started,the combination with said driving meminternal combustion ennanually,energizing'said resilient means comprising a hand operated shaftoperatively connected to said resilient means,

speed responsive means for preventing a re-apall the energy previouslystored means.

1. In a starter for an internal combustion eng ne of the type embodyinga'driving member adapted to rotate a member of the engine to be 3started. the combination her and engine member, of resilient means inwhich energy may be stored for subsequent transfer to said engine memberthrough said driving member, means for manually energizing saidresilient means comprising a hand operated shaft operatively connectedto said resilient means, means-normally preventing the release of energystored in said resilient means, a manually operable device for'releasingsaid resilient means from the influence of said preventing means, andmeans comprising a member rotatable with said hand operated shaft forpreventing a re-application of said preventing means prior to thetransfer to said engine member of substantially all the energypreviously stored in said resilient means.

5. In a starter for an internal combustion engine of the type embodyinga driving member engageable with a member of the engine to be started totransfer rotative energy thereto, the combination withsaid drivingmember and en-- gine member of a spring in which such rotative energymay be stored, a housing for said spring, a locking device secured tosaid housing for normally preventing the rotation of said spring in onedirection, a shaft for rotating said spring in the opposite direction,and speed responsive means operatively connected with said shaft andadapted to engage said housing to maintain said locking meansinefiective during the periodof transfer of rotative energy from saidspring to said engine member.

6. In a device bination with a said spring, means for first winding saidspring, a rotatable shaft having a one-way driving connection with saidspring. a pair of cooperating locking members adapted to preventunwinding of said spring for any desired period, means secured to saidhousing for rotatably supporting said shaft, gageable with said shaftfor rotatably supporting one of said locking members.

'7. In a device of the class described, in ccmbi nation with a member tobe driven,

winding. said spring, a rotatable shaft having asaid spring, a

one-way driving connection with of cooperating locking members adaptedto prevent unwinding of said spring for any desired period, and meansfor yieldably supporting one of said locking members for rotation withsaid shaft.

8. Engine starting apparatus including a driving member engageable witha member of the engine to be started, a rotatable shaft having a one-waydriving connection with said driving member, .means operable throughrotation of in a non-driving direction to store energy for subsequenttransmission to said driv= ing member upon rotation of said shaft in theopposite direction, and means for preventing such oppositerotation ofsaid shaft for any desired period, said preventing means including apart rotatable in both member to be driven, a spring with said drivingmemperiod, and means for yieldably supporting one of said lockingmembers for rotation with said shaft, said means comprising a secondspring interposed between said shaft and locking members.

10. Engine starting apparatus including a driving member engageable witha member of the engine to be started, a rotatable shaft having a onewaydriving connection with said driving member, means operable throughrotation of said shaft in a non-driving direction to store energy forsubsequent transmission to said driving member upon rotation of saidshaft in the opposite direction, and means for preventing such oppositerotation of said shaft for any desired period, said preventing meanscomprising a relatively stationary locking member and a cooperatinglocking member rotatable in both directions with said shaft.

11. Engine starting apparatus including 'a driving member engageablewith a member of the engine to be started, a rotatable shaft having aone-way driving connection with said driving member, means operablethrough rotation of said shaft in a non-driving direction to storeenergy for subsequent transmission to said driving member upon rotationof said shaft in the opposite direction, means for preventing suchopposite rotation of said shaft for any desired period, said preventingmeans comprising a relatively stationary locking member, a cooperatinglocking member normally in engagement therewith, means for disengagingsaid locking member, and means responsive to such disengagement forpreventing are-engagement until substantially all the previously storedenergy has been transmitted to said driving member.

12. In a device of the class described, in combination with a member tobe driven, a spring adapted to drive said member upon unwinding, meansfor first winding said spring, means for preventing an unwinding of saidspring for any desired period, said preventing means comprising arelatively stationary locking member, a cooperating locking membernormally in engage-' ment therewith, means for disengaging said lookingmember, and means responsive to such disengagement for preventing are-engagement until substantially all the previously stored energy hasbeen transmitted to said driving member.

13. In a device of the class described, in combination with a member tobe driven, a spring adapted to drive said member upon unwinding, meansfor first winding said spring, means for preventing an unwinding of saidspring for any desired period, said preventing means comprising a partrotatable in both directions with said shaft, means for releasing saidpreventing means, and radially movable means rotatable with said springfor thereafter means released.

14. In a device of the class described, in combination with a member tobe driven, a spring adapted to drive said member upon unwinding, ahousing enclosing said spring, means including a splined shaft for firstwinding said spring, and means for preventing an unwinding of saidspring for any desired period, said preventing means comprising alocking member secured to said housing and a cooperating lockingmemberhaving splined engagement with said shaft.

15. In a device of the class described, in combination with a member tobe driven, a spring adapted to-drive said member upon unwinding, ahousing enclosing said spring, means for first winding said spring,means for preventing an unwinding of said spring for any desired period,said preventing means comprising a locking member secured to saidhousing, and a cooperating locking member rotatable with said spring,said second named locking member including a part engageable with saidhousing upon release from said first named locking member.

16. In a device of the class described, in combination with a member tobe driven, a spring adapted to drive said member upon unwinding, ahousing enclosing said spring, means for first winding said spring forany desired period, means for preventing an unwinding of said spring forany desired period, said preventing means comprising a locking membersecured to said housing, a cooperating locking member rotatable withsaid spring, said second named locking member including a partengageable with said housing upon release from said first named lockingmember, and means interposed between said spring and locking members tore-engage the latter after unwinding of the spring.

17. In a device of the class described, in combination with a member tobe driven, aspring adapted to drive said member upon unwinding, ahousing enclosing said spring, means for first winding said spring,means for preventing an unwinding of said spring for any desired period,said preventing means comprising a locking member secured to saidhousing, a cooperating locking member rotatable with said, spring, saidsecond named locking member including a part engageable with saidhousing upon release from said first named locking member, and means forre-engaging said locking member, said re-engaging means including asecond spring interposed holding said preventing between said firstnamed spring and said housing.

RAYMOND P. LANSING.

